For by grace are we saved through faith that it is not of yourselves lest any man should boast. It not of works. Ephesians 2:8

I have been crucified with Christ and is no longer I who lives in me but Christ... Gal 2:20.

These two verses are extremely misinterpreted by the majority of the Christians in this world, and we must understand that without Christ we can do absolutely nothing. If we say we follow Christ then he will live through us. If we say that we can be good enough to enter heaven, that means we can boast in our own good works. But if we continue to sin we will enter Hell. So what is the way out of this predicament?

It seems like either way we are doomed. It's like if we try and keep the law of Moses we are doomed but if we break the law of Moses, God's laws, we will also be doomed. There is only one way out and that is to have Christ live through you.

So I read it again Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. So I live by faith in the son of God hallelujah.

Now this is what's happens to people who have come to know Jesus and that's what happened to me when I turned away from my sin. I turned to Christ and he started to live through me. It was no longer I living; the old me became a new me. I stopped doing all the things that I used to do and the old flesh stopped living through me. Some Christians will say Christ will renew your spirit but you'll still live in your flesh. This is a lie because if Christ lived through you and you are dead to yourself that means you can't live in the flesh. Because Paul said himself that if you live after the flesh you shall indeed perish but if you live after the spirit you shall inherit eternal life, hallelujah.

Excellent post, agwom.

Of course, the Law of Moses pertaining to priests, feasts, sacrifices, and rituals like circumcision is no longer necessary of course in the New Covenant after Christ was crucified on the Cross. But the Law of God, His Law of Commandments, must be kept by anyone who claims to Love God or others, for where there is willful sin there is no Love. Therefore, any supposed-love that does not keep the Truth is not Love at all.

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." - Jesus in Matthew 5:18-19

Jesus teaches us very plainly that, by Love, we shall keep the Commandments (John 14:15)... again, because we Love Him and others. If we do not keep The Commandments, we very clearly do not Love God and Jesus, or others. And yes, as you said, Jesus also says that without Him, we can do nothing. So only by a devotion and Walk with God and Jesus may we be enabled to willfully keep God's Commandments.

Another note, for which you are correct again. Many Christians abuse Paul and his Letters to try to wiggle out of the Commandments they hate (and not only by abusing the two Verses of Paul you mention). It's as though they want to mangle Paul in misuse and abuse, and then take their unrecognizable version of him and make "it" their Savior, instead of Jesus Christ. No doubt Paul himself rebukes such wretchedness, as he would to anyone who calls the willful keeping of God's Commandments "works", for they only see it that way because willfully keeping God's Commandments seem like a burden in their eyes. They see it as "work", such that one is seeking to gain something by "labor". But it is not labor; our "works" are simply our walking-around behavior that manifests from what is in our heart; the same "works" which we will be judged by, and given according to, whether in Heaven or Hell Fire (which we choose).

Also, Paul himself refers to "the man of sin" as "the lawless one". Why ? Because sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4), the willful breaking of God's Moral Law of Commandments. People who accuse Paul of throwing out God's Law only do so by their own wishful thinking, and are exactly those whom Paul describes as, "those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." - 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

God's Law defines right and wrong in human behavior, and includes not just the Letter but also the Heart of the matter (such as murder really being hatred; see what Jesus says in Matthew 5). We cannot defeat God's Law; we can only keep it or break it. And anyone who fights against God's Law is destined to perish.

Paul rebukes them. Just as he was given foresight toward the last days, when many would love themselves, and sin, more than God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). There is no way to keep "a little willful sin" and still claim we're Heaven-bound. There is no middle ground. If we wish only a "form of godliness", then we deny God's Power to help us willfully Walk in His Will. What does Paul tell us to do about these type of people, the half-hearted who still want to keep their willful sins instead of doing what Jesus teaches, that is, God's Will ? "And from such people turn away!" - 2 Timothy 3:5

Please anyone, do not be deceived by those who abuse Paul. Read Jesus' teachings fully in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and then read Paul's Letters, keeping what Christ says. Also keep in mind, there was the Law of Moses (priests, feasts, sacrifices, rituals) which is no longer, but also God's Moral Law of Commandments which existed from the beginning and is forever.

Anyone who seeks to twist, adjust, substitute, or throw out God's Ten Commandments seeks only to keep willful sin. There is no way they will be able to defend such nonsense in the Day of Judgement, but will perish. Do not go after them; just follow Jesus instead. Amen.





All are invited in the Kingdom, but few are chosen.

@OP for those that truly are devoted christians, they are save by their works which inturn brings more grace while for the sinners, they are save by Grace.